Quotes from Ehud Olmert

Every prime minister ... has the responsibility to provide security for his people.

Barack Obama's journey to the White House has impressed and inspired the entire world.

I don't like this terminology that you have no choice. You always have a choice.

We must give up Arab neighborhoods in Jerusalem and return to the core of the territory that is the State of Israel prior to 1967, with minor corrections dictated by the reality created since then.

I want to separate from the Palestinians. I want them to have their independent, separate state on a contiguous territory, and I want Israel to exist, of course, as a Jewish state in its own territory, as an independent state in its own territory. The Palestinian state, the Israeli state, separate. This is my dream.

Abu Mazen has got to do only one thing: to fight terror. That's what he needs to do.

Arafat is the greatest instigator of terror.

Terrorist organizations such as Hamas must be shut down.

The United States provides Israel with crucial security and economic aid and invaluable political backing in the international arena.

I have to make sure that I am doing the right thing. I can't afford to make any mistake.

I'm not in power, but my ideas are in power. And my ideas will prevail.

Peace is important for Israel.

For me to propose a division of Jerusalem was really terrible. I did it because I reached a conclusion that without which there will not be peace.

How are fears born? They are born because of differences in tradition and history they are born because of differences in emotional, political and national circumstances. Because of such differences, people fear they cannot live together.

I want to arrive at the possibility of peace with the Syrians, and when I believe that the conditions are right, I will not miss the opportunity.

I am focused on what needs to be done for the people of Israel. Period. I do not pity myself and I do not pat myself on the shoulder. I get up in the morning full of energy to fulfill my mission.

There is a Western world. There is America. There is Great Britain and Germany and France and Russia and China and other nations. I doubt that there is one country amongst those I mentioned which has a desire to see Iran, with its fundamentalist, Islamic, extremist government, possessing nuclear weapons.

I have to think about the possible ramifications of an early retirement.

Every word I wrote in my book is documented, certified, true, and correct. The truth wins, and that is my picture.

Who thinks seriously that if we sit on another hilltop, on another hundred meters, that this is what will make the difference for the state of Israel's basic security?

I was not born to be prime minister, and I'm not going to stay here until the end of my life. I'm too young for that.

I have reached a conclusion that when we have to make a choice between greater Israel or a Jewish democratic state - and we have to make this choice, it is inevitable - then my choice is a Jewish democratic country.

Israel is grateful that America believes in us.

The dreadful terrorism perpetrated by Palestinian terrorist organizations has affected thousands of Israeli citizens, has destroyed families, and has tried to disrupt the lives of the citizens of Israel.